Hip Problems

Expert Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatment

Nemours orthopedic experts help kids and teens with hip pain and hip problems. We have the highly specialized expertise to treat one-time injuries and chronic (ongoing) hip problems that develop over time, from common conditions to rare diseases. We also offer expert hip management for children (like those with cerebral palsy) who are at greater risk of developing hip problems. At Nemours, we also focus on treatments to prevent painful hip dislocations as kids grow.

Conditions We Treat

We see kids for a wide range of hip injuries and conditions, including:

developmental dysplasia of the hip (sometimes called “hip dysplasia” — problems with the way a baby's hip joint forms before, during or after birth, causing pain and/or trouble walking)

femoroacetabular impingement (a condition where extra bone grows along one or both of the bones that form the hip joint, causing pain and limiting activity)

labral tears (a tear in the labrum, the cartilage on the rim of the hip that provides cushion and stability to the joint)

Perthes disease (a rare childhood condition, also known as “Legg-Calve-Perthes,” where the blood supply to part of the hip is temporarily disrupted and bone cells die off)

slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) (a shift at the upper part of the thigh that weakens the hip joint)

prevention of hip dislocations, with monitoring such as physical exams every 6 months and X-rays every year from 18 months to 12 years of age

specialized orthopedic surgery including, whenever possible, arthroscopy (minimally invasive surgery with tiny scopes and instruments so that incisions and scars are smaller, and recovery is faster)

If kids need surgery, we improve or preserve hip function by reshaping the bones of the hip and thigh, and lengthening any related muscles, if necessary. Types of procedures include:

hip reconstruction, for children with hip dislocations but no arthritis (swelling and pain in a joint)

hip salvage, for those with hip dislocations and severe arthritis

total hip replacement, for children no longer able to walk due to their hip problems, but who are expected to walk again

Why Choose Us

Families come to Nemours for our many decades of excellence in orthopedics and, specifically, for our expertise in pediatric hip problems. We back our skills and experience with a caring, personal approach — and dedication to making the lives of kids and teens better. We’re also actively involved in research to keep improving how we diagnose and treat pediatric hip disorders. And many of our doctors are recognized, year after year, among the "Best Doctors in America®."

Regional Hip Problem Highlights

Services, programs and care teams differ at each location. Call for details.